The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed the launch of its Post-Result Activities portal for Class 12 answer sheet verification and re-evaluation from May 29 to June 1, 2026. The delay impacts more than 400,000 students who had requested digital copies of their answer sheets to challenge their marks. According to CBSE, the postponement is intended to strengthen server infrastructure and avoid technical failures during the final re-evaluation stage. However, the move comes amid widespread criticism over major discrepancies linked to the newly introduced On-Screen Marking (OSM) system.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has accepted responsibility for the confusion and assured corrective measures, while opposition leaders have questioned the board’s preparedness. To ease student concerns, CBSE has reduced application fees, promised refunds for upgraded marks, and announced automatic delivery of reviewed documents through DigiLocker.
The Breakdown of the Delay
CBSE officials stated that the three-day postponement is necessary to improve backend systems before the re-evaluation portal becomes fully operational. More than 400,000 students have already applied for scanned copies of their evaluated answer sheets, amounting to over 1.1 million individual scripts. With a huge number of students expected to seek question-by-question re-evaluation, the board decided to delay the process to prevent server crashes and technical disruptions.
Under the Scanner: The “On-Screen Marking” (OSM) Controversy
The delay follows growing outrage among students and parents over errors connected to CBSE’s new On-Screen Marking (OSM) system introduced for the 2025–2026 academic year. Under the digital evaluation process, physical answer sheets were scanned and assessed entirely on computer screens, a system designed to reduce manual totaling mistakes and modernize evaluation procedures.
However, when students accessed scanned copies of their answer sheets, several serious discrepancies emerged. Social media platforms such as X and YouTube were flooded with screenshots and videos showing allegedly correct answers awarded zero marks. Students also reported blurred scanned images, missing pages, unchecked answers, and even answer sheets uploaded under incorrect roll numbers.
The issue quickly escalated into a political controversy. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, criticized the implementation of the OSM system, arguing that such evaluation failures could directly affect students’ college admissions and future opportunities.
Public Accountability
During a review meeting at the CBSE headquarters, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan publicly acknowledged the problems faced by students and took responsibility for the situation. While defending the security and integrity of the digital evaluation platform, he admitted that manual errors had occurred within the digital marking process.
Pradhan assured students and parents that every complaint would be examined carefully and that immediate corrective action would be taken wherever necessary. His statement came amid mounting pressure from students, parents, educators, and political leaders demanding accountability and transparency from the board.
What the Revised Timeline Means for Students
The revised CBSE schedule changes the timeline for students seeking post-result review services. Only candidates who applied for and received scanned copies of their answer sheets between May 20 and 25 are eligible to apply for re-evaluation once the portal reopens on June 1.
To make the process more accessible, CBSE has reduced the fee for Verification of Marks from ₹500 to ₹100 per subject, while the Re-evaluation fee has been lowered from ₹100 to ₹25 per question. Students applying for re-evaluation must submit written justifications based on the official CBSE marking scheme.
CBSE has also announced that revised marksheets and reviewed answer sheets will be automatically uploaded to students’ DigiLocker accounts for easier access during university admissions through platforms such as Delhi University, JoSAA, and CUET. Students whose marks increase after review will receive a full refund of the evaluation fees.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe education systems must be rooted in trust, transparency, and empathy. While digital initiatives like On-Screen Marking can improve efficiency, their implementation should never come at the cost of students’ mental well-being or academic futures. For millions of students, board exam results shape access to higher education and career opportunities, making accuracy and fairness essential.
While the Education Minister’s acceptance of responsibility and CBSE’s reduced fees and refund policies are welcome steps, true progress lies in building reliable systems that do not force students to struggle for marks they have rightfully earned. Educational institutions must prioritize accountability, careful implementation, and compassion so that technological modernization supports students instead of adding stress during a crucial stage of their lives.
